Curtain hanging fixture

ABSTRACT

Provided is a curtain hanging fixture designed to eliminate the problems related to accessing the top of the curtain and rod. By providing a curtain hanging fixture that can be lowered to a height amenable to the user, the need for elevating the user is abolished. The importance of this feature is that the risk associated with ascending ladders, chairs, stools and like is no longer present. Additionally, the curtain hanging fixture is easily matched to any decorating environment. The curtain hanging fixture may be operated by one individual, quickly, efficiently, and at a low cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to the field of window hangings andcoverings and more particularly to a specialized curtain hangingfixture.

2. Description of the Related Art

Buildings that include windows and similar accesses are designed toadmit light, air and sound, while permitting those inside to view theoutside world from the comfort and security of the indoors. However, inresidential use, windows have become very important aspects of a home'sdecor and architectural design. As such, window treatments have evolvedfrom simple, functional adornments, to provocative, fashion settingadditions, and include various combinations of both function andaesthetics.

When used in this disclosure, references to curtains, draperies, windowtreatments and the like, are meant to be interchangeable, and theomission of a specific term for a window treatment, or hanging, is notmeant to exclude that type of window treatment.

Curtains, draperies and the like, perform a number of importantfunctions. For example, curtains may be hung such that the window frameitself is covered by the curtain. This helps to limit drafts at the manyframing intersections between the window, the window frame, and thebuilding structure. Additionally, it may be desirable to cover the sightof the window frame; and a well placed curtain is capable of coveringthe entire frame. The frame may be discolored, or not match otherelements that make up the interior design of the structure or dwellingplace.

Window treatments also perform the function of covering the windowopening. If the window is made of glass, a curtain may be used to blockor partially diffuse light that enters the building. Further, thecurtain may be used to ensure the privacy of those within the structureby covering the viewable portion of the window.

In addition to the many functions they perform, window treatments may bedesigned to act as an aesthetic addition to the overall appearance ofthe structure, or a specific area within the structure. It is alsopossible for a curtain be placed on, near, or around a non-window itemto create a certain look. Mirrors, photographs and other pictures may beused as a type of faux window, and in this instance, the “window”treatment is used primarily for aesthetic value. Whether for a true, orfaux window, the window treatment will most often be chosen to addaesthetic value to the area.

It should be apparent then, that there is a need to change out windowtreatments in conjunction with the various functions the treatmentsperform. Cleaning is a required task that in turn creates the need foraccessing a window treatment. If a curtain is cleaned in place, theperson cleaning it must still access the top portion, which is normallynot accessible while standing on the floor. What is needed is some formof device that will allow the person access to the top portion of thewindow treatment easily and safely.

If the person cleaning the curtain chooses instead to remove the curtainfor cleaning, the problem becomes accessing the curtain rod in order toremove it from the wall. The typical person will rely on some secondarydevice to provide the necessary reach. Often, the device comes in theform of a ladder, step stool, or even a chair. The problem with this isthat the person ascending the device is normally alone, with no spotteror other assistance. Add to the equation the fact that the personascending the device may be physically limited in some manner, apotentially dangerous evolution becomes even more so.

The popularity of changing window treatment styles only increases theneed for removing curtains and the need for climbing onto a potentiallyunsafe device to effect removal. The changing of the seasons may providethe need to change the window treatment style. People in colder climatesmay choose a heavier curtain material in the winter to help alleviateheating problems. The purchase of a new furniture item may alsonecessitate the need for a curtain change. New home owners often find nocurtains remaining upon entering their new home, or they wish to addtheir own personalized style to the home, which includes changing windowtreatments.

As alluded to, there exist many difficulties and dangers in removingcurtains. A standard telescoping curtain rod must be lifted upwardbefore it can be released from its brackets which add to the difficulty.Someone removing the curtain with the aid of a ladder, stool or chairnow must contend with the additional weight of the curtain rod, and thecurtain itself, while balancing their own weight. It should be apparentthen, that removing or accessing the top portion of a window treatmentcan be a dangerous, if not cumbersome ordeal.

Therefore, what is needed is a curtain hanging fixture that provides ameans to access the top portion of the window that does not require theuse of a secondary height increasing device, such as a chair, ladder, orstool.

It is also required that a window treatment be accessed, or removed by asingle person.

What is also required is a curtain hanging fixture that is easy andquick to operate, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

What is further required is a curtain hanging fixture that isstructurally unobtrusive.

What is also required is a curtain hanging fixture that will notaesthetically clash with the existing components of the window andsurrounding area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide acurtain hanging fixture that provides a means to access the top portionof the window that does not require the use of a secondary heightincreasing device, such as a chair, ladder, or stool.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a curtainhanging fixture wherein the window treatment may be accessed, or removedby a single person.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a curtainhanging fixture that is easy and quick to operate, and relativelyinexpensive to manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a curtainhanging fixture that is structurally unobtrusive.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a curtainhanging fixture that will not aesthetically clash with the existingcomponents of the window and surrounding area.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the curtain hanging fixture of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a single track anchor and slide support of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the curtain hanging fixture of thepresent invention with slide support in a partially lowered position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the curtain hanging fixture 1 of the presentinvention attached substantially adjacent to a decorating area 2. Trackanchors 3 are shown with slide supports 4 within in a raised position,locked by top locks 5 and bottom locks 6. Universal brackets 7 aredisplayed attached to the top section of slide supports 4. As previouslynoted, decorating area 2 is referenced, rather than a window framespecifically, because the present invention could also be used innon-window settings. Examples of non-window settings include wall-hungmirrors, paintings and the like. The preferred embodiment does include adecorating area that comprises a window. Additionally, the universalbrackets 7 are adaptable to support a standard telescoping metal curtainrod, or the various fixed length type curtain rods, as is typical in theart. Top locks 5 and bottom locks 6 are preferably simpletriangular-shaped detents that allow movement of slide supports 4 whendepressed, yet can lock the slide support 4 in place when desired. Thelocks could include springs or similar tensioning implements, butpreferably are kept as simple as possible to keep the cost ofmanufacture as low as possible. Additionally, the locks may be locatedin a variety of vertical positions to accommodate the desired size ofthe window treatment and decorating area.

FIG. 2 displays a front view of the present invention displaying trackanchor 3, slide support 4 and top lock 5 and bottom lock 6. Allcomponents of the present invention may be colored to match thesurrounding decorating area, or preferably, are transparent so as to bevirtually invisible. This feature increases the versatility of thepresent invention in that it will be aesthetically pleasing in anyenvironment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a single track anchor 3 and slide support 4 in apartially lowered position. In this position, T-shaped channel 8 isclearly visible at the top of track anchor 3. Also shown is wood screw 9that is used to attach track anchor 3 substantially adjacent todecorating area 2. Track anchor 3 is shown including wood screw 9, butit will be clear to those skilled in the art that a variety ofattachment methods could be used. The first consideration will be thematerial to which the track anchor will be secured upon. If the materialthat track anchor 3 is to be secured upon comprises wood or similarmaterial, then wood screws 9 will be sufficient. Other materials, or theuser of the curtain hanging fixture 1, may choose to use an adhesive soas to not penetrate the securing surface. The material could be suppliedseparately, or included upon track anchor 3 posterior surface. In eitherevent, it should be apparent that a variety of securing methods may beused, and those mentioned herein are noted as examples and notlimitations.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat variations and modifications can be substituted therefore withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit of the invention.

1. A curtain hanging fixture comprising: a first track anchor having afirst track proximal end and a first track distal end, and a secondtrack anchor, having a second track proximal end and a second trackdistal end, wherein said first track anchor and said second track anchorare attached substantially adjacent to a decorating area, saiddecorating area having a desired color; a first slide support, and asecond slide support, wherein said first slide support is slidablyengaged with said first track anchor, and said second slide support isslidably engaged with said second track support; and a first universalbracket secured to said first slide support, and a second universalbracket secured to said second slide support.
 2. The curtain hangingfixture of claim 1, wherein said first track anchor further comprises afirst top lock and first bottom lock.
 3. The curtain hanging fixture ofclaim 2, wherein said second track anchor further comprises a second toplock and a second bottom lock.
 4. The curtain hanging fixture of claim3, wherein said first track anchor further comprises a substantiallyT-shaped first channel, and wherein said first channel traverses saidfirst track anchor in an axially parallel direction from said firsttrack proximal end to said first track distal end, and wherein saidsecond track anchor further comprises a substantially T-shaped secondchannel, wherein said second channel traverses said second track anchorin an axially parallel direction from said second track proximal end tosaid second track distal end; and wherein said first track anchor, saidsecond track anchor, said first slide support and said second slidesupport comprise a color matching said desired color; and wherein saidtracks are attached to said decorating area by wood screws. 6.(canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled) 11.(canceled)
 12. The curtain hanging fixture of claim 10, wherein saidfirst top stop, said second top stop, said first bottom stop, and saidsecond bottom stop comprise a plastic detent tab.
 13. (canceled) 14.(canceled)
 15. A curtain hanging fixture comprising: a first trackanchor having a first track proximal end and a first track distal end,and a second track anchor, having a second track proximal end and asecond track distal end, wherein said first track anchor and said secondtrack anchor are attached to a decorating area, and wherein said firsttrack anchor includes a first top lock and a first bottom lock, andwherein said second track anchor includes a second top lock and a secondbottom lock, and wherein said first track anchor further comprises asubstantially T-shaped first channel, wherein said first channeltraverses said first track anchor in an axially parallel direction fromsaid first track proximal end to said first track distal end, andwherein said second track anchor further comprises a substantiallyT-shaped second channel, wherein said second channel traverses saidsecond track anchor in an axially parallel direction from said secondtrack proximal end to said second track distal end; a first slidesupport, and a second slide support, wherein said first slide support isslidably engaged with said first track anchor, and said second slidesupport is slidably engaged with said second track support; and a firstuniversal bracket secured to said first slide support, and a seconduniversal bracket secured to said second slide support, wherein saidfirst universal bracket is adapted to communicate with a standardcurtain rod, and said second universal bracket is adapted to communicatewith a standard curtain rod; and wherein said first track anchor, saidsecond track anchor, said first slide support, and said second slidesupport comprise a transparent material.
 16. (canceled)